"War reparations?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression stiffened.
"Rasa, Konoha has not lost. On what grounds should we pay war reparations to Sunagakure?"
"Do not go too far!"
"I proposed this meeting for the sake of all four shinobi villages, not for Konoha alone."
Rasa's expression did not change. He only said, "Konoha is the one asking for a ceasefire, not Sunagakure. You may also choose to refuse. In that case, the war between Sunagakure and Konoha can simply continue."
"Konoha cannot spare shinobi to mine the silver vein, but Sunagakure can."
After receiving the news, Rasa had gone to the Devil Fruit Research Laboratory precisely for this reason.
Though they were called Devil Fruits, in truth, they were the Stones of Gelel.
Once transplanted into the human body, they allowed a person to transform into an animal.
There were several types of animal transformation.
Based on their traits, Rasa currently divided them into three categories.
One was the land type.
Creatures such as apes, wolves, tigers, and the like.
Another was the sky type.
Creatures such as crows, sparrows, and similar animals.
The last was the water type.
At present, the Sunagakure Sailing Corps already had one such ninja. Its full name was the Fish-Fish Fruit: Emperor Hairtail Form.
There were quite a few water-type Devil Fruits. Rasa intended to bring them all out and assign them to Sunagakure shinobi. Once they used the Devil Fruits, they would be able to dive directly into the deep sea.
They would not need to learn Water Release.
They would not need to adapt to the deep-sea environment.
On top of that, their bodies would become enormous, and their strength would be far from ordinary.
Their advantage would be even greater than Kirigakure's.
With several hundred water-type Devil Fruit shinobi sent over, their mining efficiency would not be worse than any other shinobi village.
It would only be stronger.
Therefore, whether there was a ceasefire or not, Rasa could accept either outcome.
If there was no ceasefire, then they would fight until Konoha admitted defeat and demand a huge amount of war reparations from Konoha.
If there was a ceasefire, that was fine too.
But they would still demand a huge amount of war reparations from Konoha.
"What can Sunagakure possibly spare?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, forcing his emotions to stabilize.
"Rasa, do not act impulsively."
"Our two shinobi villages are at war. I know you have grievances against Konoha, but as Kage, all considerations must begin from the village's interests."
"That is what makes a qualified Kage."
"Do you think I do not hate Sunagakure as well?"
"Are you truly going to give Kirigakure a chance to rise again just because of spite?"
"The hatred between Kirigakure and Sunagakure is the deepest of all."
Rasa shook his head.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, that is not something you need to worry about. I have my own methods. If you want a ceasefire, then offer conditions that satisfy Sunagakure. Otherwise, there is no need to discuss anything."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression froze. He looked toward Onoki.
Seeing this, Onoki advised, "There is nothing in the shinobi world that cannot be negotiated. The great shinobi villages have fought and killed each other for so many years, all for the sake of their own villages. Rasa, there is truly no need for you to be like this."
But at that moment, the Fourth Raikage suddenly thought of something.
"Devil Fruits?"
"I heard that among Sunagakure's Sailing Corps, one Devil Fruit shinobi possesses a Devil Fruit called the Fish-Fish Fruit: Emperor Hairtail Form. He can dive into the deep sea without pressure."
"He also possesses an enormous body. His mining efficiency must be many times higher than that of an ordinary shinobi."
"Sunagakure should still have many similar Devil Fruits, correct?"
The moment those words fell, the expressions of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Onoki changed.
What the Fourth Raikage said made sense.
Devil Fruits did not merely strengthen a shinobi's combat ability. They also granted the shinobi an enormous transformed body.
A larger body meant greater strength. When mining, the efficiency would multiply.
If there were many similar Devil Fruits, then Sunagakure would not need to worry about diving at all, nor would they need as much manpower.
In terms of efficiency, Sunagakure might even be faster than Kirigakure.
It sounded absurd.
They were clearly shinobi who lived in the desert, yet underwater, they possessed such a great advantage as well.
It was simply outrageous.
But Devil Fruits were just that unreasonable.
They were far more convenient than ninjutsu.
Onoki's expression stiffened. He stopped speaking.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, meanwhile, turned increasingly ugly.
The current situation proved that Rasa was not acting out of spite.
He truly had confidence.
Since Sunagakure had confidence, Konoha naturally lacked it.
If Konoha wanted a ceasefire, then it seemed they could only agree to Sunagakure's conditions.
If they refused, they would have no way to scheme for that enormous silver mine beneath the sea.
They would not even get a share.
"Rasa, the conditions you proposed are too excessive. Konoha cannot agree…"
The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi said those words, Rasa knew that Hiruzen had compromised.
What remained was only negotiation.
After a round of bargaining, the amount of compensation was settled.
It was a figure that made Konoha feel the pain, but not one they could not accept. Sunagakure, meanwhile, was relatively satisfied.
"Wait, Rasa. Some of your Sunagakure shinobi have been making quite a scene. Under the banner of speaking up for Kitsuchi, they are frantically slandering this old man. I hope you can restrain them somewhat."
"Shinobi should act like shinobi."
"Doing such things is far too undignified."
Rasa looked toward Onoki, his brow moving slightly.
"Unfortunately, Onoki, that is not something I can do."
"I am only the Kazekage, not a tyrant. That is their freedom. I cannot restrain them. Moreover, I do not think they did anything wrong. I think they did the right thing."
"Kitsuchi's death was indeed a great pity."
"According to their reports, Kitsuchi actually had several chances to escape. Your Iwagakure shinobi risked their lives to create those opportunities for him, yet he did not leave."
"I can only think of two reasons."
"First, perhaps this truly was Kitsuchi's unauthorized action. The operation failed, and he feared being held accountable afterward. Lacking the courage to shoulder responsibility, he simply chose death."
"But I believe the son of the Tsuchikage should not have lacked even that much resolve."
"Previously, when Sunagakure and Iwagakure fought, Kitsuchi performed quite well."
"The second possibility is that this was your order, Onoki. Kitsuchi chose death in order to protect you."
"Many people believe the second possibility is far more likely."
Onoki's expression froze.
For a moment, he had no idea what to say.
Should he publicly declare that his own son had no sense of responsibility?
Would that not give Rasa another opening to exploit?
He could only watch as Rasa left.
Onoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi also departed one after another.
The Fourth Raikage, however, chased after Rasa.
"Kazekage, wait."
"Raikage, is there something else?"
"Does Sunagakure sell Devil Fruits?"
"Not for the time being."
The Fourth Raikage revealed a regretful expression.
"What a pity. If you ever sell them, please contact Kumogakure first. Kumogakure can offer a very high price."
"Also, I would like to accept another interview with your Ninja World Weekly."
"I want to talk about Onoki."
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